Jerusalem Embassy

United Methodists & Racial Justice

United Methodism believes that racism is a sin and it's the duty of all Christians to advocate for the equal treatment of all persons. You can read more, learn what you can do to help, and download resources here.

Gender Resources

Our new welcome statement includes "gender identity." These links will give you some background on gender identity in the UMC and resources to learn more about gender identity.

Gender Identity within the UMC

No official policy excludes people from United Methodist ordination based on gender identity. Whether or not someone's gender matches the gender assigned to them at birth, they are eligible to be ordained and serve as pastors. An attempt in 2008 to deny ordination to transgender persons failed at the General Conference.

Transgender ministers currently serve United Methodist churches. You can read one transgender pastor's story here.

What is it like to be trans/ gender non-conforming and a Christian? The answer: it's often lonely.

Reconciling Ministries sponsored a recent retreat in Chicago to gather trans and gender-nonconforming Christians to share their experiences and learn that they are not alone or unloved in the church. It was the first gathering of its kind.